Jamaican footballer and Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey is caught up in controversy after a video allegedly showing him in a compromising position with an unidentified woman surfaced online. The footage went viral, sparking uproar on social media and prompting Bailey to delete his Instagram account. The development comes at a time when the 27-year-old was on the verge of sealing a £25 million ($33,935,807) deal with Neom SC and moving to Saudi Arabia, according to The Sun.
Football fans went into a tizzy with some guessing that the leak could hamper the move, while others suggest that the Saudi club may overlook the controversy in light of his capabilities. If the deal becomes a reality, the Jamaican international will earn up to £10 million ($13,574,323) a year, tax-free.
According to Legit, the viral clip, which is at the centre of the controversy, allegedly shows the 27-year-old engaging in a private moment with a woman who does not seem to be his publicly known partner. This has set off speculation not only about his personal life but also potential consequences for his professional reputation.
Bailey has stepped away from social media following the video leak, which left the fans in shock. But there is still no official comment from Bailey or Aston Villa over the leaked footage. The Jamaican joined Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021. He has scored 22 goals and 24 assists in over 144 appearances. He was a crucial member of the Villa squad that made it to the Champions League 2024-25 season.